545 mln USD spent on bomb and mine detection, clearance over last decade
Vietnam spent a total of 12.6 trillion VND (545 million USD) on bomb and mine detection and clearance during the 2010-2020 period, the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemicals revealed at its conference in Hanoi on January 8.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, chairs the conference. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam spent a total of 12.6 trillion VND (545 millionUSD) on bomb and mine detection and clearance during the 2010-2020 period, theStanding Office of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement ofPost-war Unexploded Ordnance and Toxic Chemicals revealed at its conference inHanoi on January 8.
Of the total spending, 1.4 trillion VND came fromthe national action programme for the settlement of post-war bomb and mineconsequences for 2010-2025, 9 trillion VND from development investment projects,and 2.2 trillion VND from non-refundable aid.
The country conducted bomb and mine detectionand clearance on more than 500,000 ha during the period, in which DefenceMinistry units oversaw 400,000 ha and international organisations 80,000 ha.
Hotspots for toxic chemicals and dioxin residuewere basically addressed.
Around 163,000 contributors to the revolution exposedto toxic chemicals and their 73,000 children are currently receiving monthlyallowances and are provided with free health insurance cards.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh (Photo: VNA)
Speaking at the conference, Deputy DefenceMinister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, who is also head of the StandingOffice, asked the national steering committee to continue implementing theParty Central Committee Secretariat’s directives on strengthening Partyleadership over the settlement of the consequences of toxic chemicals used bythe US during wartime, as well as the Government’s decree on managing andcarrying out activities to resolve bomb and mine consequences.
The steering committee should review andperfect legal documents and national programmes and plans in conformity with reality,to improve the quality and efficiency of efforts, Vinh said.
He stressed the importance of dissemination tomobilise domestic and international resources towards the complete settlementof post-war bomb and mine and dioxin consequences.
The fight to gain justice for Vietnamese dioxinvictims should continue to be conducted in line with Vietnamese law andinternational law and practice, he added./.
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Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, chairs the conference. (Photo: VNA) 
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh (Photo: VNA) 
